Manchester City

Joe Hart Bad punch to start the match hinted at nerves but the goalkeeper was allowed to ease himself into proceedings by United's lack of pressure thereafter. Vital clearance from the head of Rooney after 48 minutes. 6/10

Pablo Zabaleta Preferred to Micah Richards at right-back and routinely found himself in advanced positions. Miscued decent early chance when leaving ball for Agüero would have been better option. 7

Gaël Clichy Displayed terrific energy and hunger in overlapping to support a raft of City attacks. Rarely troubled in a defensive sense. 7

Vincent Kompany Unfortunate to be booked for an early clash with Wayne Rooney but the City captain's night improved as he powerfully headed his third goal of the season. 7

Joleon Lescott Could have doubled City's lead five minutes after the interval but could not connect with a corner. Defensively solid if not overly occupied. 6

Gareth Barry Quietly efficient, a matter highlighted by the lack of influence Scholes, Giggs and Carrick were permitted for long periods of the match. 6

Yaya Touré Deployed to prevent Scholes from causing a threat to the City defence but was also the powerful epicentre of all of the hosts' attacking prompting. Booked. 8

David Silva Provided the pin-point corner to find Kompany for the first-half, stoppage-time goal, though this was otherwise one of the midfielder's quieter displays. 6

Samir Nasri Former Arsenal player combined smartly with Zabaleta to give Evra a more uncomfortable evening than he would have welcomed. A persistent threat. 7

Carlos Tevez The former United forward got glimpses of goal but he was willing to drop deep to collect the ball time after time. Replaced by De Jong as City sought to close out the win. 5

Sergio Agüero In front of his father in law, Diego Maradona, endured a frustrating night in front of goal, particularly in the first half. 6

Manchester United

David de Gea Had been well protected by his defence but was helpless as Kompany headed City in front. Otherwise, and despite City pressure, had a quiet 90 minutes. 6

Phil Jones Arrived in the nick of time to hack clear an early Nasri cross. Otherwise occupied by the attacking advances of Clichy from City's full-back position. Booked for foul on Barry. 5

Chris Smalling Enjoyed a solid start but was caught out by Kompany in first-half stoppage time. United's centre-half failed to match a perfectly routine run from his goalscoring opponent. 4

Rio Ferdinand Did well to distract Agüero, six yards from goal, nine minutes before the interval but such work was undone by Smalling's generosity. 6

Patrice Evra Struggled for long periods as the majority of City's attacks were mounted down the United left-back area. No scope to put his own pressure back on those defending the visiting flanks. 5

Michael Carrick Had early volley blocked but was unable to provide the impetus which United needed to haul themselves back into the game. Peripheral for too long. 5

Paul Scholes Fortunate to escape a booking for a 12th-minute hand-ball. Unable to impose himself as City dominated midfield. 5

Nani Wasted a couple of decent attacking opportunities early on, then rather vanished, along with United's general attacking force. 5

Ryan Giggs Performed some useful hassling work on the City midfield but otherwise quiet. Was in excellent attacking position after 58 minutes but Rooney was unable to pick him out. 6

Park Ji-sung Picked to offer support to Rooney but, too often, his lack of recent game time appeared to show. Unsurprisingly withdrawn before the hour. 4

Wayne Rooney Cast as a villain by the home support after early clash led to Kompany yellow card. Isolated and frustrated as United's lone attacker before the introduction of Welbeck. 5